sagrada familia

Sagrada Familia origins 

The Sagrada Familia began as an idea by Josep Maria Bocabella. He had started a religious group at the end of the 19th Century because he wanted to stop the rise in ‘uncivilised’ behaviour. He decided that building a religious temple or a large church, dedicated to the Holy Family, was the answer. 

Donations came pouring in, and so the group purchased a piece of land on the edge of the Barcelona. On March 19th, 1882 the first stone of the new building was laid.

Initially the design and construction was under the control of architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, but due to several major arguments Francisco left the project. Enter a local architect called Antoni Gaudi.  He was more than ready to take up the challenge.

the Gaudi years

So from 1883 he started to work. First he finished building the crypt. Next, Gaudi proposed a radical re-design from the original plans. After a large anonymous donation of money, he was given the green light to make the changes. In 1892 the Nativity Facade was started.

By 1914 Gaudi had the plans ready for the other facades. He decided to stop all his other work and just concentrate on the Sagrada Familia. Construction continued at a steady pace and by 1923 he had finished the designs for the naves and for the roof. On the 30th November 1924, the first bell-tower was finished. However little did anyone know, seven months later Gaudi would be dead.

after Gaudi

Between 1926 and 1938 Gaudi’s right-hand man, Domenec Sugrañes, kept the work going. However, a lack of money and the Spanish Civil War, meant construction was finally stopped.

After General Franco’s victory, the building of the Sagrada Familia resumed, but it was a very slow pace. 

In 1961 part of the site opened as a museum so visitors could get an insight into the history and plans. As Gaudi and his architecture became more popular across, interest in the temple began to grow. 

Finally the 1992 Olympic Games put Gaudi, Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia squarely on the world map. It has been the city’s iconic building ever since. 

modern day

As a result of an upsurge in donations and entrance fees, the rate of construction has dramatically increased. The powers that be are hopeful that the Sagrada Familia will be completed around 2040. Only time will tell.